By Joy Odor
The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to eliminating pediatric HIV in Nigeria and scaling up access to Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission (PMTCT) services.
The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako while speaking at the symposium held at the Abuja Continental Hotel on Tuesday emphasized that the elimination of pediatric HIV remains a top national health priority, calling it a “State of Emergency” that will persist until no Nigerian child is born with HIV.
The Minister informed that despite progress made in the national HIV response, including increased PMTCT and early infant diagnosis coverage rates, Nigeria still contributes over 9,000 new pediatric HIV infections annually.
“Progress made in the national HIV response, include increased PMTCT and early infant diagnosis coverage rates, which rose to 66% and 57% respectively in 2024, and a dramatic leap in pediatric ART coverage from 29% to 74% within the same year.
“Despite these gains, he acknowledged that Nigeria still contributes over 9,000 new pediatric HIV infections annually, making it one of the worst-affected countries globally.
“This is a clear call to action,” Dr. Salako stated. “We must identify and treat every child living with HIV and ensure no pregnant woman is left without timely antiretroviral care. The fight is not over until we achieve universal access to HIV services and eliminate new infections in children.”
“Science exists. The tools are available. What remains is the will to scale up what works and reach those left behind,” said Dr. Salako. “We will not rest until every Nigerian child is born HIV-free.”
Dr. Salako stressed that the fight is not over until universal access to HIV services is achieved and new infections in children are eliminated.
The First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, represented by the Minister of Women Affairs, reaffirmed her commitment to the “Free to Shine” campaign, an African Union-led initiative targeting the triple elimination of HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis among mothers and children.
She emphasized the importance of women’s access to quality, stigma-free care and called for full implementation of the Triple Elimination Strategy.
The First Lady stressed that more must be done to ensure HIV testing is accessible in every hospital and that all exposed infants are tested and treated without stigma.
“Nigeria has made commendable progress, but sadly, one in every five children born with HIV in the world is Nigerian,” the First Lady said in her address.
“No child should be born with HIV, and no mother should be left behind.”
She called for full implementation of the Triple Elimination Strategy and emphasized the importance of women’s access to quality, stigma-free care.
Earlier, the Permanent Secretary Daju Kachollom, represented by Pharmacist Olubunmi Aribeana Director Food & Drugs Services Department in the Ministry asserted that the Federal Ministry of Health is deeply committed to strengthening our health care delivery platforms to make HIV services strong and accessible, equitable and sustainable.
Key recommendations were outlined to advance the elimination of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) and improve pediatric HIV treatment coverage in Nigeria, including integrated testing and treatment for pregnant women and developing a Triple Elimination Framework targeting the concurrent eradication of HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis B transmission from mother to child.
The National HIV Health Sector Symposium, attended by key development partners, including UNICEF and CHAI, underscored the urgent need to close treatment gaps and support sustainable domestic responses amid declining global donor funding.
